Staying chasers get their first crack at a Graded prize this season at Wetherby. An enticing seven-race card is headed by the Charlie Hall Chase (3.05), which features the return of last year’s winner Cyrname and the promising Shan Blue and Fusil Raffles.
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Racing Post tipster Tom Collins previews Saturday’s action at Wetherby for MansionBet.
1.20 Wetherby
Chasing debutants Gericault Roque and Revels Hill, both of whom were extremely impressive when last seen, stand out in an otherwise tricky handicap chase that opens the Wetherby card. Preference is for Revels Hill, who represents the in-form Harry Fry and is sure to relish the switch to fences. Before embarking on his career under rules, Revels Hill won a 3m point-to-point at Badbury Rings (runner-up won under rules since) and will be well suited to good ground.
Selection: Revels Hill
1.55 Wetherby
Four favourites have won this race in the last ten years and, although this year’s edition lacks a standout performer and is therefore trickier than usual, Molly Ollys Wishes holds strong claims now that she drops back to Listed level against her own sex. The Dan Skelton-trained mare wasn’t beaten far by Brewin’Upastorm and McFabulous when last seen and possesses the speed to play a leading role over this 2m trip.
Selection: Molly Ollys Wishes
2.30 Wetherby
Star stayer Paisley Park is sure to attract plenty of support on his seasonal reappearance, but he was disappointing at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last year and has to shoulder a 6lb penalty here. Master Tommytucker is the dark horse in this Grade 2 contest given he reverts from chasing after an up-and-down 2020-21 season. He has been weak in the market since the start of the week, but his excellent record when fresh and the fact he’s unbeaten over hurdles means he shouldn’t be overlooked.
Selection: Master Tommytucker
3.05 Wetherby
Cyrname bids for back-to-back Charlie Hall victories but the one-time highest-rated chaser has plenty to prove this season. He entered last year’s running with a doubt that he could perform at a left-handed track but proved that theory wrong with an impressive performance from the front. However, his two subsequent efforts left plenty to be desired and he returns after undergoing a wind operation. The safest option is to oppose him with Shan Blue, who improved beyond recognition last year and goes well fresh.
Selection: Shan Blue
3.40 Wetherby
Donald McCain has his string in rip-roaring form to start the jumps season and he might have found the perfect starting point for the promising Mackenburg to kickstart his six-year-old campaign. A prolific novice hurdler who seemed to have the well-regarded Captain Morgs in trouble before that rival fell at Kempton in a three-runner contest in March, Mackenburg appears to have been leniently treated with an opening mark of 127 and can make an instant impact in handicaps.
Selection: Mackenburg
4.15 Wetherby
Dual winner Tamar Bridge sets a high standard in this 2m3f contest for trainer Paul Nicholls but is likely to go off a short-priced favourite and represents little value under a penalty. Kalmoor is of interest after an encouraging runner-up effort on debut, but Hidden Heroics could be the joker in the pack for trainer Dan Skelton, who has run some smart horses in this race in recent years. The form of his point victory is yet to be tested but he travelled like a future star.
Selection: Hidden Heroics
4.50 Wetherby
Micky Hammond is well overdue a winner over jumps (0-45 in the last four months) and he may get it here with Grange Ranger. This unexposed nine-year-old returned off a break to finish a gallant second in this contest last year and seems to have been primed for a repeat bid off a 2lb higher mark. Despite boasting just a ten per cent strike-rate (6-60) with his chasers at Wetherby in the last five years, backing each one would have resulted in a +£16.00 profit to £1 level stakes.
Selection: Grange Ranger
*All odds correct at time of writing.